Mark Hamill, the icon recognized for his function as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, is seeing considerably of a resurgence, due to the grasp of horror, Stephen King. Not solely will audiences see him painting the ruthless Main in The Lengthy Stroll in September 2025, however Hamill can be featured within the just lately launched Mike Flanagan adaptation of The Lifetime of Chuck, based mostly on the writer’s novella of the identical title. The actor is a newcomer to the world of King diversifications (except you rely his cameo in Sleepwalkers), however that does not imply he isn’t conversant in the writer’s work. When requested what his Stephen King origin story is, Hamill replies with a guide that is terrifying. But, he additionally takes the time to notice that it is “virtually a disgrace” that King is “typed as a horror author.” Not that there is something unsuitable with that…
The Star Wars icon sat down to speak about The Lifetime of Chuck with Den of Geek. The dialog expands in the direction of different forged members, who’re additionally requested about their first contact with King’s books. When Hamill solutions, he mentions a number of of the writer’s notable works and makes use of The Shining as proof of King’s mistaken typecast:
“One of many first ones I learn was Pet Sematary, which is totally, unbearably terrifying. Somebody advised to me, ‘You need to learn Shawshank Redemption, or The Physique [adapted into Stand by Me], or Inexperienced Mile.’
“It is superb how versatile he’s. It is virtually a disgrace that he is typed as a horror author when there’s so many different feelings that he elicits, not solely in his non-genre work, however in one thing like The Shining. There are such human, relatable moments. I believe that is a part of his present, making you relate and consider within the folks and the circumstances, in order that when issues go sideways, you are unprepared.”
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Hamill retains mentioning The Shining, one in all King’s most divisive diversifications, and one which he positively would not love. The actor admits that Kubrick’s movie is what satisfied him to learn the novel of the identical title, as a result of with the guide he may “learn” a personality”s ideas:
“Rather a lot is left to the viewers when it comes to interpretation, as a result of that is simply the type of director Kubrick is. He is rather more within the ambiance and the composition. He is a superb filmmaker, however while you learn the guide, you hear the character’s ideas, you discover out who the ghosts are, what incident occurred there that made it turn out to be haunted, all these items that it’s a must to lose to make a film two and a half hours lengthy. So I walked straight from seeing The Shining to a bookstore to purchase the guide to determine what the hell I simply watched.”
Stephen King’s Work Transcends Genres (However He is Undoubtedly a Horror Writer)
A few of King’s most famed works are usually not horror novels. Neither are the diversifications. Examples embrace Stand by Me and Mr. Mercedes, emotionally wealthy and character-driven tales that function the writer’s signature abilities when giving life to complicated characters with distorted ethical compasses. In terms of transcending genres, King typically steps into fantasy, dystopian thrillers, and science fiction, however on the very core, it is plain that he is the grasp of horror. He could also be typecast, however that fixation with the style is what makes him such a beloved author.
Supply: Den of Geek